Panic erupted in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Friday as another suspected gas leak reportedly affected over 100 students and teachers across several schools in the town, less than two months after a similar incident left dozens hospitalised.
Among the affected schools are Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, alongside other public schools in the area.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Ogun State General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and other private medical facilities for urgent treatment after complaining of stomach pain, dizziness, and general weakness.
A viral video circulating on social media showed frightened students running out of one of the affected schools while teachers assisted some pupils who reportedly fainted during the incident.
One of the teachers appealed for urgent intervention and called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to support the affected students.
An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously, described the latest incident as more severe than the previous gas leak recorded in the town about two months ago.
The eyewitness stated that the Ogun State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode had become overcrowded with affected students, while some parents had moved their children to private hospitals for treatment.
The source also disclosed that many of the students complained of stomach pain and weakness, adding that multiple schools were affected and that over 100 students were impacted by the incident.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Ola Oresanya, said the government had activated emergency response measures to contain the situation and investigate the source of the gas emission.
Oresanya stated that the Ministry of Education, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, security agencies, and local government authorities were already taking necessary actions in response to the incident.
It was gathered that the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, alongside the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, had been visiting affected areas to assess the situation and ensure victims received proper medical attention.
Meanwhile, the state government has urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the suspected gas leak.
In a statement issued on Friday, Oresanya disclosed that an Air Quality Monitoring Device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School detected elevated methane gas concentrations within the affected areas.
According to the commissioner, the monitoring equipment recorded methane concentration peaks of about 13,500 parts per million in surrounding locations.
He explained that the installation of the air quality monitoring device forms part of the state government’s environmental surveillance initiative aimed at early detection of hazardous air conditions and prompt public health intervention.
Oresanya stated that although the methane concentration recorded remained below the lower explosive limit, the level was environmentally significant and required immediate technical investigation and precautionary response.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team made up of environmental regulators, emergency response personnel, and air quality experts.
According to him, the team would determine the source of the emissions, assess the level of exposure risks, and investigate the possible presence of other dangerous gases, including hydrogen sulphide, volatile organic compounds, and related pollutants.
He also advised residents to avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are noticed.
(NAN)
